Specimen observation method

ABSTRACT

It is an object of the present invention to provide a specimen observation method, an image processing device, and a charged-particle beam device which are preferable for selecting, based on an image acquired by an optical microscope, an image area that should be acquired in a charged-particle beam device the representative of which is an electron microscope. In the present invention, in order to accomplish the above-described object, there are provided a method and a device for determining the position for detection of charged particles by making the comparison between a stained optical microscope image and an elemental mapping image formed based on X-rays detected by irradiation with the charged-particle beam.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/717,155, filed on Mar. 13, 2007, claiming priority of Japanese PatentApplication No. 2006-068472, filed on Mar. 14, 2006, the entire contentsof each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a specimen observation method, an imageprocessing device, and a charged-particle beam device. Moreparticularly, it relates to a method and a device which are preferablefor observing the same field-of-view as that of a specimen observedusing an optical microscope.

2. Description of the Related Art

Concerning a specimen to be observed using an optical microscope, in thecase of, e.g., a living-creature specimen, the specimen can be coloredby an appropriate staining method which depends on differences in thespecimen components and its physiological state. As a result, thespecimen can be observed in a state which is close to that of a livingbody. By the way, in the analysis of living-body reactions like this,fine structure analysis at cell level or macromolecular level isimportant. An optical microscope, however, finds it difficult to observethe fine structure. This is because the optical microscope has alimitation to its resolving power, and thus can exhibit only aninsufficient magnification. Accordingly, for this fine structureanalysis to be implemented, the observation made by an electronmicroscope is desirable.

In JP-A-6-13011, the following explanation has been given: A specimen isobserved using an optical image capture device provided independently ofan electron microscope. Moreover, its coordinate position and theposition of specimen stage of the electron microscope are made tocorrespond to each other, thereby searching for field-of-view in theelectron microscope.

In JP-A-8-129986 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 5,646,403), thefollowing explanation has been given: Regarding field-of-viewdisplacement of a scanning electron microscope, the specimen stage isdisplaced in correspondence with observation field-of-view width of thescanning electron microscope.

An optical microscope performs formation of a specimen image mainly bydetecting reflection light from the specimen. In contrast thereto,however, an electron microscope performs formation of a specimen imageby detecting secondary electrons and the like. In this way, since thespecimen images are formed based on the different signals, the imagequalities are exceedingly different from each other. Consequently, ithas been difficult to retrieve the observation field-of-view of theelectron microscope on the basis of the specimen image acquired usingthe optical microscope.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a specimenobservation method, an image processing device, and a charged-particlebeam device which are preferable for selecting, based on an imageacquired by an optical microscope, an image area that should be acquiredin a charged-particle beam device the representative of which is anelectron microscope.

In the present invention, in order to accomplish the above-describedobject, there are provided a method and a device for determining theposition for detection of charged particles by making the comparisonbetween a stained optical microscope image and an elemental mappingimage formed based on X-rays detected by irradiation with thecharged-particle beam. The configuration like this makes it possible toeasily implement that, e.g., a reaction region within an opticalmicroscope image to which a staining corresponding to a living-bodyreaction has been applied is set and employed as the observation targetof a charged-particle beam device such as an electron microscope.

According to the present invention, it becomes possible to easilyimplement a search for field-of-view for the observation by acharged-particle beam device with respect to a specimen observed usingan optical microscope.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the following description of the embodiments of theinvention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of a scanning electronmicroscope;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart (the first part) for illustrating operation of anembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a flowchart (the second part) for illustrating the operationof the embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, referring to the drawings, the detailed explanation will begiven below concerning an example of a charged-particle beam device inorder to explain an embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiment 1

As a charged-particle beam device, there exists a scanning electronmicroscope, transmission electron microscope, scanning transmissionelectron microscope, or ion beam irradiation device. In the presentexample, the explanation will be given below regarding an embodiment ofthe present invention, referring to FIG. 1 and selecting a scanningelectron microscope as the example.

As illustrated in the drawing, an electron beam 3 emitted from anelectron gun 2 of main body of an electron microscope 1 is converged byan irradiation lens 4. Next, the electron beam 3 is deflected by ascanning coil 6 including an X-direction deflection coil and aY-direction deflection coil. Moreover, the electron beam 3 deflectedinto the two directions is focused on a specimen 7 held by a specimenstage 8 by an objective lens 5, then being scanned on the specimen 7.

The electron gun 2 is controlled by an electron gun control device 12.The irradiation lens 4 and the objective lens 5 are controlled by anirradiation lens control device 13 and an objective lens control device14, respectively. Also, a not-illustrated specimen stage drivingmechanism is controlled by a specimen stage control device 16. Thescanning coil 6 is controlled by a scanning coil control device 15.

These devices, i.e., the electron gun control device 12, the irradiationlens control device 13, the objective lens control device 14, thescanning coil control device 15, and the specimen stage control device16, configure an observation condition setting device.

Characteristic X-rays are generated from surface of the specimen 7 bythe electron beam 3 scanned on the specimen 7. Next, the characteristicX-rays generated are detected by an X-ray detector 11, and are suppliedto an image processing device 18, then being recorded and stored asimage data. Simultaneously, secondary electrons generated from thespecimen 7 are detected by a secondary-electron detector 9, and aresupplied to the image processing device 18 as image data, then beingrecorded and stored. Simultaneously, reflection electrons generated fromthe specimen 7 are detected by a reflection-electron detector 10, andare supplied to the image processing device 18 as image data, then beingrecorded and stored.

An optical image, which is acquired by an optical device 17independently of the electron microscope, is supplied to the imageprocessing device 18, then being recorded and stored as image data.

In this embodiment, the observation condition setting device of theelectron microscope, i.e., each of the electron gun control device 12,the irradiation lens control device 13, the objective lens controldevice 14, the scanning coil control device 15, and the specimen stagecontrol device 16, is so configured as to be connected to the imageprocessing device 18 via a predetermined transmission path so that themutual data transmission/reception is executable. Also, the imageprocessing device 18 is so configured as to allow implementation of thedriving control over the specimen stage and setting of the observationconditions for each lens.

On account of this, the image processing device 18 is so configured asto include, e.g., a computer onto which a predetermined program isinstalled. This program makes it possible to create control data whichis necessary for the above-described specimen-stage driving mechanismcontrol device and observation condition setting device, and whichshould be supplied thereto.

Hereinafter, referring to a flowchart in FIG. 2, the explanation will begiven below concerning an example of the operation when the samefield-of-view as that of a specimen image captured using an opticaldevice is observed using a charged-particle beam device.

In the present embodiment, “image judgment processing”, “image recordprocessing”, “image retrieval processing”, and “condition registrationprocessing” are carried out by the image processing device 18.

First, using the optical microscope, the operator observes the specimen7 which is stained for the optical microscope. Although not illustratedin FIG. 1, the specimen image observed is photographed by a recorddevice such as CCD camera. After that, the photographed image issupplied to the image processing device 18.

Next, the specimen 7 for the optical microscope is set on the specimenstage 8 inside a specimen chamber of the scanning electron microscope.Moreover, the electron beam 3 is scanned on the surface of the specimen7 in accordance with a predetermined procedure, and resultantcharacteristic X-rays generated are detected by the X-ray detector 11(step: 2-1). In addition, elemental mapping images where intensity ofthe characteristic X-rays detected by the X-ray detector 11 is displayedin a two-dimensional manner is supplied to the image processing device18, then being recorded and stored as image data (step: 2-2).

Subsequently, in the image processing device 18, the comparison is madebetween the image data on the specimen image by the optical microscopeand the elemental mapping images. At this time, it is advisable to usean image correlation method. Result of the image correlation, which isthe degree of coincidence between both of the images, may be displayedas “coincidence degree”.

If an elemental mapping image exhibiting the highest coincidence degreehas been successfully selected out of the result by the imagecorrelation (step: 2-3), a secondary-electron image and areflection-electron image within the field-of-view are observed (step:2-4). Incidentally, in the present embodiment, a predetermined thresholdvalue may be set in advance regarding the coincidence degree of theimages, and an image which is found to exceed this threshold value maybe selectively acquired, observed, and recorded.

Simultaneously with the acquisition of the elemental mapping image ofthe specimen image acquired by the image optical device, thesecondary-electron image and the reflection-electron image within thefield-of-view may be observed, and be recorded into the image processingdevice 18 as the image data. These series of image data, i.e., thespecimen image acquired by the optical device, its elemental mappingimage, and its secondary-electron image and reflection-electron image,may be recorded into the image processing device 18 as a single datagroup.

At this time, the observation conditions of the optical microscope havebeen supplied to the observation condition setting device of theelectron microscope via the image processing device 18. As a result, theobservation conditions in the electron microscope coincide with theobservation conditions of the optical microscope. In the image datagroups, in the case of the image data stored in, e.g., TIF image format(step: 2-5), all the observation conditions of the observation conditionsetting device of the electron microscope may be written into tag areas,thereby being recoded in a manner of being made to correspond to theimages (step: 2-6, step: 2-7). Moreover, the specimen stage is displacedto the next observation position (step: 2-8), then returning toobservation of the specimen depending on the requirements. Hereinafter,basically the same steps will be executed.

Next, in this embodiment, the same field-of-view is automaticallysearched for by performing displacement of the specimen stage in such amanner that the observation area by the optical device is selected anddefined as the unit of this displacement. Referring to a flowchart inFIG. 3, the explanation will be given below concerning the operation atthis time.

With respect to the specimen image by the optical microscope, theobservation field-of-view area of the optical microscope is determinedfrom the image data supplied to the image processing device 18 (step:3-1). The specimen stage 8 is controlled by the specimen stage controldevice 16 of the electron microscope in such a manner that the specimenstage 8 displaces with the observation field-of-view area as the unit ofthe displacement amount of the specimen stage (step: 3-2).

Acquisition positions of the elemental mapping of the optical microscopespecimen by the X-ray detector 11 are read by the specimen stage controldevice 16, then being recorded in a manner of being made to correspondto the elemental mapping images (step: 3-3). The results of the imagecorrelation between the elemental mapping of the optical microscopespecimen by the X-ray detector 11 and the optical microscope specimenimages are displayed as, e.g., the coincidence degrees (step: 3-4).

Depending on rank of the coincidence degrees by the image correlationbetween the elemental mapping of the optical microscope specimen by theX-ray detector 11 and the optical microscope specimen images, theelemental mapping images, secondary-electron images, andreflection-electron images of the specimen are ranked. The opticalmicroscope specimen images, the elemental mapping images of the opticalmicroscope specimen by the X-ray detector, the secondary-electronimages, and the reflection-electron images are recorded and stored intothe image processing device 18 as the data group (step: 3-5). Also, inthis embodiment, the specimen stage control device 16 may be controlledso that the specimen stage 8 displaces in such a manner that theacquisition area of the elemental mapping of the optical microscopespecimen by the X-ray detector 11 is selected and defined as thedisplacement amount of the specimen stage. As the result of the imagecorrelation between the elemental mapping images of the opticalmicroscope specimen by the X-ray detector 11 and the optical microscopespecimen images, if the highest coincidence degree is found, or if acoincidence degree is found to exceed a predetermined threshold value,the displacement of the specimen stage 8 is halted. Then, its positioncoordinate at this time is recorded and stored (step: 3-6).

Consequently, according to this embodiment, it becomes possible todirectly observe the specimen for the optical microscope in the scanningelectron microscope without preparing a specific specimen manufacturingintended for the scanning electron microscope. On account of the imagecorrelation between the elemental mapping images of the specimen for theoptical microscope and the specimen images acquired by the opticaldevice, the same field-of-view as that of the observation region of thespecimen for the optical microscope can be observed by the scanningelectron microscope. The reaction region of the specimen for the opticalmicroscope to which a staining corresponding to a living-body reactionhas been applied can be directly observed by the electron microscope.This makes it possible to directly observe the relationship between theliving-body reaction and the fine structure. Moreover, the specimenstage is displaced in such a manner that the acquisition area of theelemental mapping images of the optical microscope specimen is selectedand defined as the unit of the displacement amount. Then, these piecesof coordinate information are stored in a manner of being made tocorrespond to the elemental mapping images. Furthermore, the elementalmapping images of the optical microscope specimen, thesecondary-electron images, and the reflection-electron images are storedas the data group, then being ranked depending on the coincidencedegrees. Then, the displacement of the specimen stage can beautomatically halted at the position at which the highest coincidencedegree is found.

It should be further understood by those skilled in the art thatalthough the foregoing description has been made on embodiments of theinvention, the invention is not limited thereto and various changes andmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention and the scope of the appended claims.

1. An image processing device for making a comparison between an optical microscope image acquired by an optical microscope, and an elemental mapping image acquired by a charged-particle beam device, comprising: a comparing unit for making said comparison between said optical microscope image of a specimen stained for an observation made by said optical microscope and said elemental mapping image, said optical microscope image being acquired by said optical microscope, said elemental mapping image being based on detection of X-rays by said charged-particle beam device, and an outputting unit which outputs, as a location or locations that a charged-particle beam image is acquired by said charged-particle beam device, position information of a location or locations in the specimen such that coincidence degrees between said optical microscope image and said elemental mapping image exceeds a predetermined value specified by a user, or obtain a highest value.
 2. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein said locations on said specimen are ranked in a descending order of said coincidence degrees.
 3. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein said optical microscope image or said elemental mapping image, and the position information outputted by the outputting unit or a charged-particle beam image at the location or locations corresponding to said position information are recorded as a single file.
 4. An image processing device for making a comparison between an optical microscope image acquired by an optical microscope, and an elemental mapping image acquired by a charged-particle beam device, comprising: a comparing unit for making said comparison between said optical microscope image of a specimen for an observation made by said optical microscope and said elemental mapping image, said optical microscope image being acquired by said optical microscope, said elemental mapping image being based on detection of X-rays by said charged-particle beam device, and a storing unit for storing a secondary-electron image or reflection-electron image of a location or locations in the specimen such that coincidence degrees between said optical microscope image and said elemental mapping image exceed a predetermined value specified by a user, or obtain a highest value.
 5. The image processing device according to claim 4, wherein said locations on said specimen are ranked in a descending order of said coincidence degrees.
 6. The image processing device according to claim 4, wherein said optical microscope image or said elemental mapping image, and the position information outputted by the outputting unit or a charged-particle beam image at the location or locations corresponding to said position information are recorded as a single file. 